Hydrogen-containing water generating device

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, a hydrogen-containing water generating device includes: a positive electrode that is a tubular conductor and includes a plurality of openings in a side portion; an insulator; a negative electrode that is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the insulator, is a tubular conductor in contact with the insulator, and includes a plurality of openings in a side portion; a first support that is mounted to a first end portion side of the positive electrode and a first end portion side of the negative electrode; and a second support that is mounted to a second end portion side of the positive electrode and a second end portion side of the negative electrode. At least one of the first support and the second support includes an opening portion connected with a space surrounded by the side portion of the positive electrode.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology to obtain water containinghydrogen from raw water such as tap water.

BACKGROUND

As a technology to generate water containing hydrogen(hydrogen-containing water) from tap water, technologies are described,in which an ion-exchange membrane is provided between a pair ofelectrodes of a positive electrode and a negative electrode in anelectrolytic bath, and hydrogen-containing electrolyzed water isobtained by electrolysis (for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2010-88972

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2010-88973

Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open PublicationNo. 2010-284504

SUMMARY Technical Problem

The technologies described in Patent Literatures 1 to 3 are providedwith the positive electrode and the negative electrode in theelectrolytic bath, and supply raw water to the electrolytic bath togenerate hydrogen-containing water. In the technologies described inPatent Literatures 1 to 3, the electrolytic bath is used by beinginstalled in a bath or a tank for storing drinking water. In recentyears, a movable portable device that can be brought into a place wherethe device is used, that is, where the hydrogen-containing water isgenerated, and generate the hydrogen-containing water is desired inconsideration of convenience, instead of the installation type such asthe ones described in Patent Literatures 1 to 3. The portable device maybe supplied power by a battery or the like, for example, in a case wherea commercial power source is not available. Therefore, the portabledevice is required to cause the raw water to efficiently containhydrogen.

The technologies described in Patent Literatures 1 to 3 forcibly causethe raw water to be passed through the positive electrode and thenegative electrode, and thus can easily release oxygen generated on thepositive electrode side to an outside. The forcible passage of the rawwater cannot be expected in the portable device. Therefore, there isroom for improvement for releasing oxygen generated on the positiveelectrode side to an outside.

According to one aspect, an objective of the present invention is topromptly release oxygen generated on a positive electrode side to anoutside, in generating hydrogen-containing water.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen-containingwater generating device includes: a positive electrode that is a tubularconductor and includes a plurality of openings in a side portion; aninsulator that is provided on an outer peripheral portion of thepositive electrode; a negative electrode that is provided on an outerperipheral portion of the insulator, is a tubular conductor in contactwith the insulator, and includes a plurality of openings in a sideportion; a first support that is mounted to a first end portion side ofthe positive electrode and a first end portion side of the negativeelectrode; and a second support that is mounted to a second end portionside of the positive electrode and a second end portion side of thenegative electrode. At least one of the first support and the secondsupport includes an opening portion connected with a space surrounded bythe side portion of the positive electrode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat the hydrogen-containing water generating device further includes apositive-electrode power feed member that is a rod-like conductormounted to an inner surface of the side portion of the positiveelectrode and protrudes from the first end portion side of the positiveelectrode or the second end portion side of the positive electrode, anda negative-electrode power feed member that is a rod-like conductormounted to an inner surface of the side portion of the negativeelectrode and protrudes from the first end portion side of the negativeelectrode or the second end portion side of the positive electrode, andthe first support or the second support supports the positive-electrodepower feed member and the negative-electrode power feed member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat a protection member being a tubular member and including aplurality of openings in a side portion is provided outside the negativeelectrode, a first end portion of the protection member is supported bythe first support, and a second end portion of the protection member issupported by the second support.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality ofopenings included in the protection member is preferably larger than theplurality of openings of the negative electrode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the insulatorpreferably includes a plurality of openings.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible topromptly release oxygen generated on a positive electrode side to anoutside, in generating hydrogen-containing water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a use state of a hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to the presentembodiment taken along a plane including a central axis of theelectrode.

FIG. 6 is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged diagram of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a partially enlarged positiveelectrode and a partially enlarged negative electrode.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged diagram of an opening included in the positiveelectrode and the negative electrode.

FIG. 14 is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a partially enlarged insulator.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a step of the method of manufacturingthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen-containing water generatingdevice according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a first support included in thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a second support included in thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an opening of a protection member andan opening of a negative electrode included in the hydrogen-containingwater generating device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating another use state of thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a mounting structure of when thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode is mounted to thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a mounting structure of when thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode is mounted to thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating another mounting structure of when ahydrogen-containing water generating electrode is mounted to thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating the modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating the modification of thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the drawings. First, electrodes used forgenerating hydrogen-containing water will be described.

<Hydrogen-Containing Water Generating Electrode>

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating a hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode according to the present embodiment. Ahydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 generateshydrogen-containing water that is water containing hydrogen, from rawwater such as tap water, using an electrolysis action of water. Thehydrogen-containing water is alkaline water. As illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 includes apositive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12, and an insulator 13. Thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are a tubularconductor. In the present embodiment, shapes of the positive electrode11 and the negative electrode 12 are, but not limited to, a cylindricalshape. The insulator 13 is provided on an outer peripheral portion ofthe positive electrode 11, and is in contact with the positive electrode11. The negative electrode 12 is provided on an outer peripheral portionof the insulator 13, and is in contact with the insulator 13. That is,the insulator 13 is provided between the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 provided outside the positive electrode 11, and isin contact with the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12.The positive electrode 11, the negative electrode 12, and the insulator13 are a net-like member. In the present embodiment, the insulator 13 isin contact with the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12.However, the insulator 13 may not necessarily contact with the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12.

A positive-electrode power feed member 14 that is a rod-like conductoris electrically connected with the positive electrode 11. Anegative-electrode power feed member 15 that is a rod-like conductor iselectrically connected with the negative electrode 12. Thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 is electrically connected with apositive electrode of a power source (direct-current power source) 20.The negative-electrode power feed member 15 is electrically connectedwith a negative electrode of the power source 20. With such a structure,the positive electrode 11 is electrically connected with the positiveelectrode of the power source 20 through the positive-electrode powerfeed member 14, and the negative electrode 12 is electrically connectedwith the negative electrode of the power source 20 through thenegative-electrode power feed member 15.

In the present embodiment, a positive-electrode support member 18 thatis a rod-like member is mounted to the positive electrode 11. Thepositive-electrode support member 18 is mounted to the positiveelectrode 11 at a side opposite to the side where the positive-electrodepower feed member 14 is mounted. A negative-electrode support member 19that is a rod-like member is mounted to the negative electrode 12. Thenegative-electrode support member 19 is mounted to the negativeelectrode 12 at a side opposite to the side where the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 is mounted. In the present embodiment, all of thepositive-electrode support member 18, the negative-electrode supportmember 19, the positive-electrode power feed member 14, and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 are, but not limited to, of thesame material.

For example, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 may be the same material, andthe positive-electrode support member 18 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19 may be a different material from the material of thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrode powerfeed member 15. In the present embodiment, the positive electrode 11 andthe negative electrode 12 may not necessarily be provided with thepositive-electrode support member 18 and the negative-electrode supportmember 19.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10, to be specific, the positive electrode 11 andthe negative electrode 12 include end-portion-side opening portions 10HAand 10HB as opening portions at both end portions. Thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 may not include theend-portion-side opening portions 10HA and 10HB, or may include theend-portion-side opening portion 10HA or the end-portion-side openingportion 10HB at least at one end portion.

The positive electrode 11 includes a slit 11SL extending in alongitudinal direction, that is, in a direction in which the positiveelectrode 11 as a tubular member extends. The negative electrode 12includes a slit 12SL extending in the longitudinal direction, that is,in a direction in which the negative electrode 12 as a tubular memberextends. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 includes restraining members 40 between thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19, and on outside portions of the negative electrode 12.The restraining members 40 closes the slit 11SL of the positiveelectrode 11 and the slit 12SL of the negative electrode 12 to restrainthe negative electrode 12, the insulator 13, and the positive electrode11 from a circumferential direction of the negative electrode 12 and thepositive electrode 11. Next, a use state of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a use state of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode according to the present embodiment. Thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is put in raw water W,and generates hydrogen-containing water in the raw water W. Thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is not an installationtype, and is applicable to a portable device that can be brought into aplace where the device is used, that is, where the hydrogen-containingwater is generated, and be put in the raw water W and generate thehydrogen-containing water. The raw water W is, for example, warm waterstored in a bath, drinking water stored in a drinking water tank, rinsewater stored in a rinse water tank, or the like. When a predeterminedvoltage (direct-current voltage) is applied from the power source 20 tobetween the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 put in the raw waterW, the raw water W existing around the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 is ionized into hydrogen ions H⁺ and hydroxylions OH⁻.

When the insulator 13 does not have an ion exchange function, theionized hydrogen ions H⁺ pass through the insulator 13 and are gatheredto the negative electrode 12 side, and bubbles of a hydrogen gas (H₂)are generated at the negative electrode 12. These bubbles are minutebubbles with a diameter in the nanometer order. The raw water W (2H₂O)is split to form H₂+2OH⁻ with an electron (2e⁻). The hydrogen gas isdissolved in the raw water W by the water-forming function. Therefore,the hydrogen-containing water in which hydrogen is dissolved in the rawwater W is generated. The ionized hydroxyl ions OH⁻ pass through theinsulator 13 and are gathered to the positive electrode 11 side, and theraw water W (2H₂O) is split to form O₂+4H⁺+4e⁻, and acid ion water isgenerated. O₂ is gathered to an inside of the tubular positive electrode11 as bubbles, are moved along the inside of the positive electrode 11,and are released from the end-portion-side opening portions 10HA and10HB to an outside of the positive electrode 11. Next, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 will be described inmore detail.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates astate in which a part of the negative electrode 12 and the insulator 13of the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is removed.FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to the presentembodiment taken along a plane including a central axis of theelectrode. FIG. 6 is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is apartially enlarged diagram of FIG. 6. A direction parallel to adirection (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as longitudinaldirection) E in which the tubular positive electrode 11 and negativeelectrode 12 having a cylindrical shape in the present embodiment extendis a central axis Zt of these electrodes. The central axis Zt is an axispassing through a center (gravity center) in cross sections of thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12, the cross sectionsbeing perpendicular to the central axis Zt.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the positive electrode 11 includes a pluralityof openings 11H in a side portion, and the negative electrode 12includes a plurality of openings 12H in a side portion. The plurality ofopenings 11H included in the positive electrode 11 penetrates the sideportion of the positive electrode 11 in a thickness direction of thepositive electrode 11. The plurality of openings 12H included in thenegative electrode 12 penetrates the side portion of the negativeelectrode 12 in a thickness direction of the negative electrode 12. Inthe present embodiment, the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12 are manufactured with a conductor. In the presentembodiment, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 aretitanium (Ti) plated with platinum (Pt). The plating may be, forexample, platinum (Pt)-iridium (Ir) plating. In the present embodiment,titanium is pure titanium. The positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12 are not limited to the titanium plated with platinum.However, it is favorable to employ a material (vanadium (V), forexample), that is not dissolved in the raw water W. In the presentembodiment, both of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode12 are plated. However, only the positive electrode 11, on which calciumhydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or the like in the raw water isdeposited, is plated, and the negative electrode 12 may not be plated.In this way, the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 can be decreased.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the insulator 13 lying between the positiveelectrode 11, an outer side portion (outside portion) 11So of thepositive electrode 11, and an inner side portion (inside portion) 12Siof the negative electrode 12 is in contact with the outside portion 11Soof the positive electrode 11 and the inside portion 12Si of the negativeelectrode 12. The insulator 13 includes a plurality of openings 13H. Theopenings 13H penetrate the insulator 13 in a thickness direction of theinsulator 13. As the insulator 13, a net woven with fiber of a materialhaving insulation properties (a resin, for example) can be used.Further, the insulator 13 may have an ion exchange function. Forexample, the insulator 13 may be an ion-exchange membrane (positiveion-exchange membrane). In this case, the insulator 13 may not includethe openings 13H.

The positive ion-exchange membrane is negatively charged due to ananionic group fixed to the membrane. Therefore, the negative ion isrepelled and cannot pass through, and only the positive ion can passthrough. Therefore, in the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10, the insulator 13 using the positive ion-exchange membranetransmits only the positive ion, that is, the hydrogen ion H⁺, andrepels the negative ion, that is, the ionized hydroxyl ion OH⁻.Therefore, the amount of the hydroxyl ion OH⁻ that passes through theinsulator 13 and is moved to the positive electrode 11 side can bedecreased. As a result, generation of oxygen and the acid ion water canbe suppressed at the positive electrode 11 side.

As described above, while the ion-exchange membrane may be used, anelectrically neutral material is used as the insulator 13. In doing so,the manufacturing cost of the insulator can be decreased, and processingbecomes easy. Further, the ion-exchange membrane has a hole thattransmits the ions but does not transmit water molecules. If theion-exchange membrane is used as the insulator 13, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 provided with theinsulator 13 requires a high voltage in generating thehydrogen-containing water, and the power consumption may become large.In the present embodiment, the insulator 13 is an electrically neutralnet-like member. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water can begenerated at a lower voltage than the case of the ion-exchange membrane,and the power consumption can be suppressed.

When a net woven with fiber having insulation properties is used as theinsulator 13, the thickness of the insulator 13 is about 0.1 to 1 mm. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, an end portion of theinsulator 13 provided between the outside portion (corresponding to anouter peripheral portion) 11So of the positive electrode 11 and theinside portion (corresponding to an inner peripheral portion) 12Si ofthe positive electrode 12 is taken out through the slit 12SL of thenegative electrode 12 to an outside portion (corresponding to an outerperipheral portion) 12So side of the negative electrode 12. The endportion of the insulator 13 may be taken out through the slit 11SL ofthe positive electrode 11 to an inside portion (corresponding to aninner peripheral portion) 11Si side of the positive electrode 11. Next,influence of a size t of a gap (appropriately, referred to asinterelectrode gap) formed between the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. The sizet of the interelectrode gap is a distance between the outside portion(outer peripheral portion) 11So of the positive electrode 11, and theinside portion (inner peripheral portion) 12Si of the negative electrode12.

Amounts of dissolved hydrogen of the hydrogen-containing water arecompared when the size t of the interelectrode gap illustrated in FIG. 7is changed. In this evaluation, t=0.4 mm and 3 mm. When t=0.4 mm, thevoltage applied to the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10is 18 V, and the current is 5 A. When t=3 mm, the voltage applied to thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is 60 V, and thecurrent is 5 A. Results are illustrated in Table 1. The dissolvedhydrogen in Table 1 is a measured value of when 15 minutes has passedfrom when the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is putin hot water of 120 liters, 41° C., and the voltage is applied to thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12.

Table 1

It can be seen that, from the evaluation results illustrated in Table 1,the amount of hydrogen (dissolved hydrogen amount) dissolved in the rawwater becomes larger as the size t of the interelectrode gap becomessmaller. To be specific, when the size t of the interelectrode gap is0.4 mm, the dissolved hydrogen amount is increased by 8%, compared witha case of t=3.0 mm. When the size t of the interelectrode gap is 0.4 mm,the power consumption is slightly more than ⅓, compared with the case oft=3.0 mm. When the size t of the interelectrode gap is 0.4 mm, a largeramount of hydrogen can be dissolved in the raw water with smaller powerconsumption, compared with the case of t=3.0 mm. That is, efficiency todissolve hydrogen in the raw water of the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 can be improved by making the size t of theinterelectrode gap small.

In the present embodiment, it is favorable to cause the size t of theinterelectrode gap to be from 0.1 to 1 mm, both inclusive. By causingthe size t of the interelectrode gap to fall within the above-describedrange, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 cangenerate a sufficient amount of hydrogen even if a potential differencebetween the voltages applied to the positive electrode 11 and to thenegative electrode 12 is relatively small, in generating thehydrogen-containing water. If the size t of the interelectrode gap fallswithin the above-described range, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 can cause a sufficient amount of hydrogen to bedissolved in the raw water, and can generate the hydrogen-containingwater in which a large amount of hydrogen is dissolved, even if thevoltage applied to the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10is relatively small. Therefore, for example, the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 can be used for a case in which thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is put in warm waterstored in a bath to generate the hydrogen-containing water. Further, ifthe amount of hydrogen dissolved in the hydrogen-containing water is thesame, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can suppressthe power consumption.

To dissolve a sufficient amount of hydrogen in the raw water when thesize t of the interelectrode gap is large, the voltage to be applied tothe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is made large. Bycausing the size t of the interelectrode gap to be 1 mm or less,preferably, 0.6 mm or less, a sufficient amount of hydrogen can bedissolved in the raw water, even if the voltage to be applied to thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is about 48 V, forexample. By causing the size t of the interelectrode gap to be 0.1 mm ormore, preferably, 0.2 mm or more, insulation between the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 by the insulator 13 lyingbetween the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 can besufficiently secured. As a result, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 can stably exhibit performance. Further, asdescribed above, when a resin is used as the insulator 13, by causingthe size t of the interelectrode gap to be 0.1 mm or more, preferably,0.2 mm or more, a decrease in durability of the insulator 13 can besuppressed. In the present embodiment, the insulator 13 lying betweenthe positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 is in contactwith both of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12.Therefore, the size t of the interelectrode gap is determined accordingto the thickness of the insulator 13.

In the present embodiment, the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 is directly put in a bath or a drinking water tank, andgenerates the hydrogen-containing water. Then, when generation of thehydrogen-containing water is not necessary, the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 is taken out of the bath or the drinkingwater tank. As described above, the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 is not used by being installed to a mounting object, andcan be moved or carried. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 is subject to influence of vibration and impact,compared with one installed and used. When the insulator 13 is broughtto lie between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12and to come in contact with the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12, movement of the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12 of the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 iscontrolled. As a result, resistance of the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 to the vibration and impact is improved.

Further, when the insulator 13 is brought to lie between the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 and to come in contact withthe positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12, the spacebetween the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 can beeasily made constant with the insulator 13 throughout the entirehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10. As a result, in thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, variation ofelectrical resistance between the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12 is suppressed, and variation of current density issuppressed. Therefore, the hydrogen bubbles can be uniformly generatedfrom the entire electrode. By causing the size t of the interelectrodegap to be equal to the thickness of the insulator 13, the insulator 13can be easily brought to come in contact with both of the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. Therefore, it is favorable.Next, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 isa rod-like conductor extending from a first end portion (one endportion) 11T1 of the positive electrode 11 to a second end portion (theother end portion) 11T2. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a portion ofthe positive-electrode power feed member 14, the portion being shorterthan half L/2 of a dimension L of the positive electrode 11 in thedirection (longitudinal direction) E in which the positive electrode 11extends, is mounted to the inside portion 11Si of the positive electrode11. The negative-electrode power feed member 15 is a rod-like conductorextending from a first end portion 12T1 of the negative electrode 12 toa second end portion 12T2. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a portion ofthe negative-electrode power feed member 15, the portion being shorterthan half L/2 of a dimension L of the negative electrode 12 in thedirection (longitudinal direction) E in which the negative electrode 12extends, is mounted to the outside portion 12So of the negativeelectrode 12. Both of the length of the portion of thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 mounted to the positiveelectrode 11, and the length of the portion of the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 mounted to the negative electrode 12 are LS. In thepresent embodiment, LS<L/2 is satisfied.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the positive-electrode support member 18 is arod-like conductor extending from the second end portion 11T2 of thepositive electrode 11 to the first end portion 11T1. As illustrated inFIG. 5, a portion of the positive-electrode support member 18, theportion being shorter than the half L/2 of the dimension L of thepositive electrode 11 in the longitudinal direction E of the positiveelectrode 11, is mounted to the inside portion 11Si of the positiveelectrode 11. The negative-electrode support member 19 is a rod-likeconductor extending from a second end portion 12T2 of the negativeelectrode 12 to the first end portion 12T1. As illustrated in FIG. 5, aportion of the negative-electrode support member 19, the portion beingshorter than the half L/2 of the dimension L of the negative electrode12 in the longitudinal direction E of the negative electrode 12, ismounted to the outside portion 12So of the negative electrode 12.

In the present embodiment, the positive-electrode power feed member 14,the negative-electrode power feed member 15, the positive-electrodesupport member 18, and the negative-electrode support member 19 aremembers of titanium plated with platinum, similarly to the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. The positive-electrode powerfeed member 14, the negative-electrode power feed member 15, thepositive-electrode support member 18, and the negative-electrode supportmember 19 are not limited to the titanium plated with platinum,similarly to the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12.However, it is favorable to employ a material that is not dissolved inthe raw water W. The positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 are respectively joined with andare electrically connected with the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 by joining means such as welding. Thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrode powerfeed member 15 are respectively joined with and mounted to the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 by joining means such aswelding.

The plating applied to the positive-electrode power feed member 14, thenegative-electrode power feed member 15, the positive-electrode supportmember 18, and the negative-electrode support member 19 may be, forexample, platinum (Pt)-iridium (Ir) plating. In the present embodiment,the negative electrode 12 may not be plated, and in this case, thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 may also not be plated.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrode powerfeed member 15 are respectively electrically joined with the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 at joined portions CP in aplurality of places by spot welding. The positive-electrode supportmember 18 and the negative-electrode support member 19 are similar tothe positive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15. The joining of the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 is not limitedto the spot welding.

The plurality of joined portions CP is provided not to be shifted to oneplace in the longitudinal direction of the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15. In doing so,the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 can supply the power from the entire own length inthe longitudinal direction E. The portions of the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 and the negative-electrode support member 19, theportions being shorter than the half L/2 of the dimension L of thenegative electrode 12 in the direction (longitudinal direction) E inwhich the negative electrode 12 extends, is mounted to the outsideportion 12So of the negative electrode 12, as separate members.Therefore, a portion (gap) where the negative-electrode power feedmember 15 and the negative-electrode support member 19 do not exist iscaused between the negative-electrode power feed member 15 and thenegative-electrode support member 19, in the outside portion 12So of thenegative electrode 12. The hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 can have the restraining members 40 mounted to the portionwhere the negative-electrode power feed member 15 and thenegative-electrode support member 19 do not exist, in the outsideportion 12So of the negative electrode 12. The restraining members 40 donot interfere with the negative-electrode power feed member 15 and thenegative-electrode support member 19. Therefore, the restraining members40 can restrain the negative electrode 12, the insulator 13, and thepositive electrode 11 with uniform force throughout the entire outerperipheral portion of the negative electrode 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 protrudes from the first end portion 11T1 of the positiveelectrode 11, and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 protrudesfrom the first end portion 12T1 of the negative electrode 12. In doingso, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 can cause the portionsprotruding from the first end portions 11T1 and 12T1 to be mounted to amounting object ST1, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As a result, the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are mounted to the mountingobject ST1 through the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15.

In the present embodiment, the positive-electrode power feed member 14and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 are provided with malescrews 14S and 15S on the portions protruding from the first endportions 11T1 and 12T1, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The positive-electrodepower feed member 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 aremounted and fixed to the mounting object ST1 with bolts 32 and 32respectively screwed into the male screws 14S and 15S.

The first end portion 11T1 of the positive electrode 11 is in contactwith the mounting object ST1, and is fixed to the mounting object ST1through the positive-electrode power feed member 14 with the bolt 32.Similarly, the first end portion 12T1 of the negative electrode 12 is incontact with the mounting object ST1, and is fixed to the mountingobject ST1 through the negative-electrode power feed member 15 with thebolt 32. Therefore, large portions of the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 are in contact with the mounting object ST1, andthus can be stably mounted to the mounting object ST1.

Further, a terminal 34 that electrically connects the positive-electrodepower feed member 14 and wiring, and a terminal 34 that connects thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 and wiring are fixed with therespective bolts 32 and 32, and bolts 33 and 33 respectively screwedinto the male screws 14S and 15S. With such a structure, the power isapplied to the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12through the terminals 34 and 34, the positive-electrode power feedmember 14, and the negative-electrode power feed member 15.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the positive-electrode support member18 protrudes from the second end portion 11T2 of the positive electrode11, and the negative-electrode support member 19 protrudes from thesecond end portion 12T2 of the negative electrode 12. In doing so, thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrode powerfeed member 15 can cause the portions protruding from the second endportions 11T2 and 12T2 to be mounted to a mounting object ST2, asillustrated in FIG. 4. As a result, the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 are mounted to the mounting object ST2 through thepositive-electrode support member 18 and the negative-electrode supportmember 19.

In the present embodiment, the positive-electrode support member 18 andthe negative-electrode support member 19 are provided with male screws18S and 19S on the portions protruding from the second end portions 11T2and 12T2, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The positive-electrode supportmember 18 and the negative-electrode support member 19 are mounted andfixed to the mounting object ST2 with bolts 31 and 31 respectivelyscrewed into the male screws 18S and 19S.

The second end portion 11T2 of the positive electrode 11 is in contactwith the mounting object ST2, and is fixed to the mounting object ST2through the positive-electrode support member 18 with the bolt 31.Similarly, the second end portion 12T2 of the negative electrode 12 isin contact with the mounting object ST2, and is fixed to the mountingobject ST2 through the negative-electrode support member 19 with thebolt 31. Therefore, large portions of the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 are in contact with the mounting object ST2, andthus can be stably mounted to the mounting object ST2.

The hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can be mounted tothe mounting objects ST1 and ST2 with the positive-electrode power feedmember 14, the negative-electrode power feed member 15, thepositive-electrode support member 18, and the negative-electrode supportmember 19 from both ends of the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12. Further, the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 may be mounted to one mounting object using either ones ofthe positive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15, or the positive-electrode support member 18 andthe negative-electrode support member 19. As described above, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 has an advantage ofhigh flexibility of mounting.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views illustrating modifications of ahydrogen-containing water generating electrode. In the modifications, inFIGS. 8 and 9, the restraining member 40 illustrated in FIG. 4 and thelike is omitted. The restraining member 40 is mounted to ahydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a illustrated in FIG.8, and to a hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 billustrated in FIG. 9 from outsides of negative-electrode power feedmembers 14 a and 14 b mounted to outsides of negative electrodes 12.

In the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a illustratedin FIG. 8, a portion of the positive-electrode power feed member 14 a,the portion being longer than half L/2 of a dimension L of a positiveelectrode 11 in a longitudinal direction E of the positive electrode 11,is mounted to an inside portion 11Si of the positive electrode 11illustrated in FIG. 5. A portion of a negative-electrode power feedmember 15 a, the portion being longer than the half L/2 of the dimensionL of a negative electrode 12 in a longitudinal direction E of thenegative electrode 12, is mounted to an outside portion 12So of thenegative electrode 12 illustrated in FIG. 5. Both of the length of theportion of the positive-electrode power feed member 14 a mounted to thepositive electrode 11, and the length of the portion of thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 a mounted to the negativeelectrode 12 are LS. In the present embodiment, LS>L/2 is satisfied. Thelength LS is preferably 70% or more of the dimension L of the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 in the longitudinal directionE, and is more preferably 80% or more of the dimension L. In the presentembodiment, the length LS is 95% or more of the dimension L.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 aand the negative-electrode power feed member 15 a are respectivelyelectrically joined with the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12 at joined portions CP in a plurality of places by spotwelding. The plurality of joined portions CP is provided not to beshifted to one place in the longitudinal direction of thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 a and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 a. In doing so, the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 a and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 a can supplypower to the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 fromthe entire length in the longitudinal direction E. Therefore, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a can cause currentdistribution of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12in the longitudinal direction E to be close to uniform distribution.Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a cangenerate hydrogen from the entire region of the negative electrode 12 inthe longitudinal direction E. Further, the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 are respectively electrically connected with thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 a and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 a in the respective large ranges in thelongitudinal direction E. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 a can suppress a decrease in efficiency of thecurrent, and can efficiently use the current. That is, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a can suppress adecrease in use efficiency of the current to be applied. As a result,the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a can increasehydrogen content per unit power. Further, by causing the length LS ofthe portion of the positive-electrode power feed member 14 a mounted tothe positive electrode 11, and the length LS of the portion of thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 a mounted to the negativeelectrode 12 to satisfy the above-described range, the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 can be reinforced.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 aprotrudes from both of a first end portion 11T1 and a second end portion12T2 of the positive electrode 11. The negative-electrode power feedmember 15 a protrudes from both of a first end portion 12T1 and a secondend portion 12T2 of the negative electrode 12. In doing so, thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 a and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 a can cause the portions protruding from the firstend portions 11T1 and 12T1 to be mounted to a mounting object ST1, andcause the portions protruding from the second end portions 11T2 and 12T2to be mounted to a mounting object ST2, as illustrated in FIG. 8. As aresult, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 aremounted to the mounting objects ST1 and ST2 through thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 a and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 a.

In the present embodiment, the positive-electrode power feed member 14 aand the negative-electrode power feed member 15 a are provided with malescrews 14S1 and 15S1 on the portions protruding from the first endportions 11T1 and 12T1, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Further, thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 a and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 a are provided with male screws 14S2 and 15S2 onthe portions protruding from the second end portions 11T2 and 12T2. Thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 a and the negative-electrodepower feed member 15 a are mounted and fixed to the mounting object ST1with bolts 32 and 32 respectively screwed into the male screws 14S1 and15S1 of the first end portion 11T1 side. Further, the positive-electrodepower feed member 14 a and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 aare mounted and fixed to the mounting object ST2 with bolts 31 and 31respectively screwed into the male screws 14S2 and 15S2 of the secondend portion 12T2 side.

Terminals 34 and 34 that connect the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15, and thewiring are fixed with the bolts 32, and the bolts 33 respectivelyscrewed into the male screws 14S1 and 15S1. With such a structure, thepower is applied to the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode12 through the terminals 34 and 34, the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 a, and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 a. In thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a, thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 and the negative-electrode powerfeed member 15 protrude from both sides of the positive electrode 11 andthe negative electrode 12. Therefore, similar functions and effects tothe above-described hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10(see FIG. 4 and other figures) can be obtained.

The hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 b illustrated inFIG. 9 is different from the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 a illustrated in FIG. 8 in that a positive-electrode powerfeed member 14 b and a negative-electrode power feed member 15 bprotrude only from first end portions 11T1 and 12T1 of a positiveelectrode 11 and a negative electrode 12, and do not protrude fromsecond end portions 11T2 and 12T2. Other structures of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 b are similar to thoseof the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 a illustratedin FIG. 8. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode10 b can obtain similar functions and effects to the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 a illustrated in FIG. 8, except than onlythe first end portions 11T1 and 12T1 side of the positive electrode 11and the negative electrode 12 are mounted to a mounting object ST.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views illustrating modifications ofa hydrogen-containing water generating electrode. FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate cross sections of hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrodes 10 c and 10 d, the cross sections being perpendicular to acentral axis Zt. The hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 cillustrated in FIG. 10 includes a positive electrode 11 c, a negativeelectrode 12 c, an insulator 13 c, a flat surface portion 10P, and acurved surface portion 10R connected with the flat surface portion 10P.The positive electrode 11 c includes a slit 11SLa extending in alongitudinal direction, that is, in a direction in which the positiveelectrode 11 c as a tubular member extends. The negative electrode 12 cincludes a slit 12SLa extending in the longitudinal direction, that is,in a direction in which the negative electrode 12 c as a tubular memberextends. The hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 dillustrated in FIG. 11 includes a positive electrode 11 d, a negativeelectrode 12 d, an insulator 13 d, a first flat surface portion 10PA, apair of second flat surface portions 10PB and 10PB connected with bothends of the first flat surface portion 10PA, and a curved surfaceportion 10R connecting the pair of second flat surface portions 10PB and10PB. The positive electrode 11 d includes a slit 11SLb extending in alongitudinal direction, that is, in a direction in which the positiveelectrode 11 d as a tubular member extends. The negative electrode 12 dincludes a slit 12SLb extending in the longitudinal direction, that is,in a direction in which the negative electrode 12 d as a tubular memberextends.

The positive electrodes 11 c and 11 d, and the negative electrodes 12 cand 12 d included in the hydrogen-containing water generating electrodes10 c and 10 d have a shape of combination of flat surfaces and curvedsurfaces. Further, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrodes10, 10 a, and 10 b illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 9, and other figureshave a cylindrical shape, and thus have a curved surface throughout theentire circumferences of the positive electrodes 11 and the negativeelectrodes 12. As described above, in the present embodiment, at least apart of the positive electrodes 11, 11 c, and 11 d, and the negativeelectrode 12, 12 c, and 12 d included in the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrodes 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d may just have acurved surface. The hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10can cause the bubbles of hydrogen to be efficiently separated from thenegative electrode 11 throughout the entire circumference, and can causehydrogen to be dissolved in the raw water W, by forming the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 in the cylindrical shape.Further, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can beeasily manufactured by forming the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 in the cylindrical shape.

The hydrogen-containing water generating electrodes 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10c, and 10 d can efficiently generate hydrogen by forming the positiveelectrodes 11, 11 c, and 11 d, and the negative electrodes 12, 12 c, and12 d in a shape including a curved surface. When the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrodes 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, or 10 d is put in theraw water W and used, it is favorable to install the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode so that the curved surface portion facesupward (a side of a direction opposite to a direction in which thegravity acts). Next, the openings 11H, 12H, and 13H included in thepositive electrode 11, the negative electrode 12, and the insulator 13will be described.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a partially enlarged positiveelectrode and a partially enlarged negative electrode. FIG. 13 is anenlarged view of openings included in the positive electrode and thenegative electrode. FIG. 14 is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 12.FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a partially enlarged insulator. Thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are net-like membersin which a plurality of linear portions 16 intersects with one another.The portion surrounded by the plurality of linear portions 16 serves asthe openings 11H and 12H of the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12. In the present embodiment, the openings 11H and 12Hincluded in the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 havea rhombic shape. In the openings 11H and 12H, one diagonal line (firstdiagonal line) TLl is longer than the other diagonal line (seconddiagonal line) TLs. In the openings 11H and 12H, angles in apexes Pa andPb on the first diagonal line TLl are smaller than angles in apexes Pcand Pd on the second diagonal line TLs.

Since the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 includethe plurality of openings 11H and 12H, lines of electric force can beprovided to an inside and to an outside through the openings 11H and12H. Therefore, both surface of the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 can be used for electrolysis, and thus hydrogencan be efficiently generated. Further, the negative electrode 12 cancause a wet angle of the bubbles of hydrogen generated by the negativeelectrode 12 itself to be small, with the opening 12H surrounded by thelinear portions 16, and thus can cause the bubbles of hydrogen to beseparated in a small state. That is, absorption power caused between thegenerated hydrogen and a surface of the negative electrode 12 almostbecomes in a point contact state, and surface tension is suppressed.Therefore, as a result, the negative electrode 12 can cause the bubblesof hydrogen to be separated in a small state, and can generate thehydrogen-containing water in which a large amount of hydrogen isdissolved.

In the present embodiment, cross sections of the linear portions 16 ofthe positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 have arectangular shape (a square shape in the example of FIG. 14), asillustrated in FIG. 14. The negative electrode 12 can cause the wetangle of the bubbles of hydrogen to be smaller with corners 16T in thelinear portion 16 to suppress the surface tension, and thus can causethe bubbles of hydrogen to be separated in a smaller state. Therefore,the negative electrode 12 can generate hydrogen water in which smallerbubbles of hydrogen are dissolved. Further, the negative electrode 12includes the linear portion 16 with a rectangular cross section, andthus can cause a surface area that can be used for generation ofhydrogen to be large. According to these functions, efficiency todissolve hydrogen in the raw water of the negative electrode 12 isimproved.

In the present embodiment, in the openings 11H and 12H, the firstdiagonal line TLl extends in the direction in which the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 extend, that is, in thelongitudinal direction E, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The second diagonalline TLs extends in the circumferential direction C of the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 having a cylindrical shape.The positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 include theend-portion-side opening portions 10HA and 10HB in both sides in thelongitudinal direction E, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bubblesof oxygen generated inside the positive electrode 11 are releasedthrough the end-portion-side opening portion 10HA, 10HB to the outsideof the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, as illustratedin FIG. 3. At this time, since the longitudinal direction of the opening11H of the positive electrode 11 accords with the direction in which thebubbles of oxygen are moved. Therefore, the bubbles of oxygen can beeasily moved to the end-portion-side opening portions 10HA and 10HB. Asa result, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 canefficiently release the bubbles of oxygen to the outside. Further, inthe opening 11H of the positive electrode 11, angles of the apexes Paand Pb on the first diagonal line TLl are acute angles. Therefore, thecontact area between the bubbles of oxygen, and the linear portion 16can be made small. As a result, the bubbles of oxygen can be easilyseparated from the linear portion 16. Therefore, the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 can efficiently release the bubbles ofoxygen to the outside. Further, in the positive electrode 11, the linearportion 16 includes the corners 16T, the wet angle of the bubbles ofoxygen can be made smaller with the corners 16T, and the surface tensioncan be suppressed. As a result, the positive electrode 11 can cause thebubbles of oxygen to be promptly separated from the linear portion 16,and moved to the end-portion-side opening portions 10HA and 10HB.Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 canefficiently release the bubbles of oxygen to the outside. Further, inthe process in which the bubbles of oxygen are moved along the inside ofthe positive electrode 11, the bubbles take in bubbles of oxygen newlygenerated on the positive electrode 11 side, and grow. Therefore, thecontact area between the bubbles of oxygen, and the raw water W can bemade small, and dissolving of oxygen to the raw water W can besuppressed.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the insulator 13 is a net-like member inwhich a plurality of linear members 17 intersect with one another, and aportion surrounded by the linear members 17 is the opening 13H. Theopening 13H has a rectangular shape (a square shape in the presentembodiment). The length of one side is La, and the length of a sideadjacent to the side of La is Lb in the opening 13H. In the presentembodiment, the opening 13H has a square shape, and thus La=Lb. The sidehaving the length of La is parallel to the longitudinal direction E ofthe positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12, and the sidehaving the length of Lb is parallel to the circumferential direction Cof the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 having acylindrical shape.

In the present embodiment, the opening 11H of the positive electrode 11and the opening 12H of the negative electrode 12 are larger than theopening 13H of the insulator 13. The area of the openings 11H and 12H isLl×Ls/2 where the length of the first diagonal line TLl is Ll, and thelength of the second diagonal line TLs is Ls. The area (opening area) ofthe opening 13H is La×Lb. Therefore, Ll×Ls/2>La×Lb is satisfied. In thepresent embodiment, for example, the length Ll of the first diagonalline TLl is 6 mm, the length Ls of the second diagonal line TLs is 3 mm.Therefore, the area of the openings 11H and 12H is 9 mm². In the opening13H, La=Lb=1.06 mm, for example. Therefore, twenty four openings 13H perinch are arrayed in the insulator 13. The area (opening area) of theopening 13H becomes 1.12 mm². As described above, in the presentembodiment, the area of the openings 11H and 12H of the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 is about eight times the areaof the opening 13H.

When the opening 13H of the insulator 13 is larger than the openings 11Hand 12H of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12, apossibility that the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12come in contact with each other through the opening 13H of the insulator13 becomes high. The hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10can avoid the mutual contact of the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12 through the opening 13H of the insulator 13, bycausing the opening 13H of the insulator 13 to be smaller than theopenings 11H and 12H of the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12. In this way, the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 can avoid short-circuit of the positive electrode 11 andthe negative electrode 12, and can secure insulation of theseelectrodes, even if the distance between the positive electrode 11 andthe negative electrode 12 is made small. Therefore, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is suitable for thesystem being put in the raw water W, which is required to suppress thevoltage applied to the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode12 to be low.

In the present embodiment, the insulator 13 is a net-like member inwhich the plurality of linear members 17 intersects with one another.When such a net-like member is used as the insulator 13, the insulator13 is allowed to have deformation in the thickness direction to someextent. Therefore, when the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 is subject to vibration or impact, the insulator 13 canabsorb the vibration or the impact. If the net-like member in which theplurality of linear members 17 intersect with one another is used as theinsulator 13, the insulator 13 is suitable for the portablehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, which can be movedand carried.

In the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, the opening13H of the insulator 13 is smaller than the openings 11H and 12H of thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. Therefore, thebubbles of oxygen generated on the positive electrode 11 side arecaptured with the linear members 17 of the insulator 13, and largebubbles can be made. When the bubbles of oxygen become large, dissolvingof oxygen to the raw water W is suppressed. Therefore, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can generate thehydrogen-containing water having a high dissolution ratio of the bubblesof hydrogen. Further, when the bubbles of oxygen become large, buoyancybecomes large. As a result, the bubbles of oxygen can be easily movedinside the positive electrode 11, and can easily pass through theopening 13H. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 can easily release the bubbles of oxygen from the inside.

Further, the bubbles of oxygen not captured with the linear members 17pass through the opening 13H of the insulator 13, and take the bubblesof hydrogen adhering to the linear portions 16 of the negative electrode12 and separate the bubbles of hydrogen from the linear portions 16.Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 canpromptly separate the bubbles of hydrogen, which are generated at thenegative electrode 12, from the negative electrode 12, and can cause thebubbles of hydrogen to be dissolved in the raw water W. Next, a methodof manufacturing the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10will be described.

<Method of Manufacturing Hydrogen-Containing Water Generating Electrode>

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode according to the presentembodiment. FIGS. 17 to 26 are diagrams illustrating respective steps ofthe method of manufacturing the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode according to the present embodiment. In manufacturing thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, first, at step S101,as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, a positive electrode material 11M anda negative electrode material 12M as conductors are bent to form membershaving an approximately cylindrical shape. The positive electrodematerial 11M and the negative electrode material 12M are plate-likeconductors having a plurality of openings (corresponding to the opening11H of the positive electrode 11 and the opening 12H of the negativeelectrode 12 illustrated in FIG. 4 and other figures, and omitted inFIGS. 17 and 18). The members having an approximately cylindrical shape,which are the bent positive electrode material 11M and negativeelectrode material 12M, have the slits 11SL and 12SL that are each aremoved portion in a circumferential direction C and extend in thelongitudinal direction E, that is, in a direction in which the membershaving an approximately cylindrical shape extend. As illustrated in FIG.17, the slit 11SL is formed between facing end portions 11MT and 11MT ofthe positive electrode material 11M. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the slit12SL is formed between facing end portions 12MT and 12MT of the negativeelectrode material 12M.

The longitudinal direction E of the positive electrode material 11M isparallel to the first diagonal line TLl of the opening 11H of thepositive electrode material illustrated in FIG. 19. The first diagonalline TLl of the opening 11H is longer than the second diagonal line TLs.Therefore, in the opening 11H illustrated in FIG. 19, the seconddiagonal line TLs shorter than the first diagonal line TLl extends inthe circumferential direction C of the member having an approximatelycylindrical shape that is the bent positive electrode material 11M. As aresult, the positive electrode material 11M can be easily bent in acylindrical manner, and dimension accuracy of the positive electrode 11can be easily secured.

The longitudinal direction E of the negative electrode material 12M isparallel to the first diagonal line TLl of the opening 12H of thenegative electrode material illustrated in FIG. 20. The first diagonalline TLl of the opening 12H is longer than the second diagonal line TLs.Therefore, in the opening 12H illustrated in FIG. 20, the seconddiagonal line TLs shorter than the first diagonal line TLl extends inthe circumferential direction C of the member having an approximatelycylindrical shape that is the bent negative electrode material 12M. As aresult, the negative electrode material 12M can be easily bent in acylindrical manner, and dimension accuracy of the negative electrode 12can be easily secured.

Next, at step S102, a power feed member and a support member are mountedto each of the positive electrode material 11M and the negativeelectrode material 12M bent in the cylindrical shape (see FIGS. 21 and22). The power feed member is the positive-electrode power feed member14 illustrated in FIG. 21 and the negative-electrode power feed member15 illustrated in FIG. 22. The support member is the positive-electrodesupport member 18 illustrated in FIG. 21 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19 illustrated in FIG. 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the positive-electrode power feed member 14and the positive-electrode support member 18 are mounted to an innerside surface 11Mi of the bent positive electrode material 11M. Thepositive-electrode power feed member 14 and the positive-electrodesupport member 18 are connected and mounted to the positive electrodematerial 11M such that the longitudinal direction becomes parallel tothe first diagonal line TLl of the opening 11H illustrated in FIG. 19.The positive-electrode power feed member 14 and the positive-electrodesupport member 18 are joined with the positive electrode material 11M bywelding, for example. Therefore, the positive-electrode power feedmember 14 and the positive electrode material 11M are electricallyconnected.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, the negative-electrode power feed member 15and the negative-electrode support member 19 are mounted to an outerside surface 12Mo of the bent negative electrode material 12M. Thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19 are connected and mounted to the negative electrodematerial 12M such that the longitudinal direction becomes parallel tothe first diagonal line TLl of the opening 12H illustrated in FIG. 20.The negative-electrode power feed member 15 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19 are joined with the negative electrode material 12M bywelding, for example. Therefore, the negative-electrode power feedmember 15 and the negative electrode material 12M are electricallyconnected.

The positive electrode material 11M to which the positive-electrodepower feed member 14 and the positive-electrode support member 18 aremounted, and the negative electrode material 12M to which thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19 are mounted are subjected to plating (platinum platingin the present embodiment). When plating is not applied to the negativeelectrode 12, plating is applied to only the positive electrode material11M to which the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thepositive-electrode support member 18 are mounted. In this way, thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are completed. Bothof the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are a tubularconductor, include a plurality of openings in a side portion, andinclude the slit 11SL and 12SL that are each a removed portion in thecircumferential direction and extend in the longitudinal direction E,that is, in the direction in which the tubular conductors extend.

Next, the process proceeds to step S103, as illustrated in FIG. 23, aside portion 11S of the positive electrode 11 that is a tubularconductor and has a plurality of openings 11H in the side portion 11S iscovered with the net-like insulator 13. In covering the side portion 11Sof the positive electrode 11 with the insulator 13, the position of theslit 11SL is not especially limited.

Next, at step S104, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the positive electrode 11and the insulator 13 are passed through the slit 12SL, and the negativeelectrode 12 is mounted to an outside of the insulator 13. When thepositive electrode 11 and the insulator 13 are passed through the slit12SL of the negative electrode 12, the slit 12SL is enlarged. When thepositive electrode 11 and the insulator 13 are arranged inside thenegative electrode 12, at step S105, the enlarged slit 12SL is closed.

Following that, at step S106, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the restrainingmembers 40 are mounted to an outside of the negative electrode 12, andrestrains the negative electrode 12, the insulator 13, and the positiveelectrode 11. The plurality of restraining members 40 is mounted betweenthe negative-electrode power feed member 15 and the negative-electrodesupport member 19. As the restraining members 40, for example, a resincable tie or a metal line material having high corrosion resistance andnot dissolved in the raw water W can be used. The negative electrode 12,the insulator 13, and the positive electrode 11 are restrained by therestraining members 40, so that the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 is completed, as illustrated in FIG. 26. An excessinsulator 13 may be taken out through the closed slit 12SL to an outsideof the negative electrode 12.

Force toward the circumferential direction is provided to the negativeelectrode 12 and the positive electrode 11 that are the members having acylindrical shape by the restraining members 40. Therefore, the slit11SL of the positive electrode 11 and the slit 12SL of the negativeelectrode 12 are closed. The positive electrode 11 is a conductor and isan elastic body, and deformation to close the slit 11SL is deformationwithin a range of elastic deformation of the material of the positiveelectrode 11. Therefore, when the slit 11SL of the positive electrode 11is closed, force to open the closed slit 11SL is caused in the positiveelectrode 11.

Since the positive electrode 11 is restrained by the restraining members40 through the negative electrode 12, the force caused in the positiveelectrode 11 acts to press the positive electrode 11 and the insulator13 to the negative electrode 12. As a result, the insulator 13 isreliably in contact with the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12, and the gap formed between the positive electrode 11 andthe negative electrode 12 is accurately defined by the thickness of theinsulator 13. Further, deviation between the positive electrode 11, theinsulator 13, and the negative electrode 12 are suppressed by the forcecaused in the positive electrode 11. In this way, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 used in a portabledevice can be manufactured.

The method of manufacturing a hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode according to the present embodiment does not use joining suchas welding except that the power feed member and the support member aremounted to the positive electrode material 11M and the negativeelectrode material 12M. Therefore, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 can be easily disassembled into the positiveelectrode 11, the negative electrode 12, and the insulator 13 byremoving the restraining members 40. Therefore, maintenance, inspection,repair, and part replacement can be easily performed. Further, recyclingof the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is also easy.Next, a hydrogen-containing water generating device including thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 will be described.

<Hydrogen-Containing Water Generating Device>

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen-containing water generatingdevice according to the present embodiment. FIG. 28 is a diagramillustrating a first support included in the hydrogen-containing watergenerating device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 29 is adiagram illustrating a second support included in thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an opening of a protectionmember and an opening of a negative electrode included in thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment. A hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 is adevice that includes the above-described hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10, puts in the raw water W, and generates thehydrogen-containing water.

The hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 includes a firstsupport 101, a second support 102, and the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10. In the present embodiment, thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 further includes aprotection member 103. The first support 101 is mounted to a first endportion 10T1 side of the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode10. The first support 101 includes a first installation portion 101Cthat comes in contact with the installing object FL of thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100. The installing objectFL is, for example, a bottom portion of a bath or a bottom portion of adrinking water tank. In the present embodiment, the first installationportion 101C is a side portion around the central axis Zt of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, of side portions ofthe first support 101.

The second support 102 is mounted to a second end portion 10T2 side ofthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10. The secondsupport 102 includes a second installation portion 102C that comes incontact with the installing object FL. In the present embodiment, thesecond installation portion 102C is a side portion around the centralaxis Zt of the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, ofside portions of the second support 102. A distance (second-support-sideheight) h2 of the second support 102 from the side portion 11S of thepositive electrode 11 to the second installation portion 102C in adirection perpendicular to the side portion 11S of the positiveelectrode 11 included in the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 is larger than a distance (first-support-side height) h1from the side portion 11S of the positive electrode 11 to the firstinstallation portion 101C in the direction perpendicular to the sideportion 11S of the positive electrode 11. Therefore, a height H1 of thefirst support 101 illustrated in FIG. 28 is smaller than a height H2 ofthe second support 102 illustrated in FIG. 29. In this example, both ofthe first-support-side height h1 and the second-support-side height h2are based on portions installed on the installing object FL.

The first end portion 10T1 of the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 corresponds to the first end portions 11T1 and 12T1 of thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 illustrated in FIG.4 and other figures, and the second end portion 10T2 corresponds to thesecond end portions 11T2 and 12T2 of the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12. A direction perpendicular to a side portion 12Sof the negative electrode 12 corresponds to the direction perpendicularto the central axis Zt of the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10. The first support 101 and the second support 102 aremanufactured by molding a resin, for example. The first support 101 andthe second support 102 instruct the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 when being installed on the installing object FL.

The protection member 103 is a tubular (a cylindrical shape in thepresent embodiment) member, and includes a plurality of openings 103H inthe side portion. The plurality of openings 103H included in theprotection member 103 penetrates the side portion of the protectionmember 103 in the thickness direction of the protection member 103. Theprotection member 103 is provided outside the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10, to be specific, outside the negative electrode12. A first end portion 103T1 of the protection member 103 is supportedby the first support 101, and a second end portion 103T2 is supported bythe second support 102. With such a structure, the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 and the protection member 103 aresupported by the first support 101 and the second support 102 at bothend portion sides.

The protection member 103 is provided outside the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10, and protects the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10. Further, the protection member 103 is putin the raw water W and is in contact with the raw water W at the time ofuse of the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100. Therefore,the protection member 103 is made of stainless steel or the like havinghigh strength and corrosion resistance. The protection member 103mounted to the first support 101 and the second support 102 has strengthof some extent to protect the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10. Therefore, the protection member 103 also functions as astructure member for securing the strength of the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 together with the first support 101 and thesecond support 102.

As illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, the first support 101 includes afirst opening portion 101H as an opening portion connected with a spacesurrounded by the side portion of the positive electrode 11. Asillustrated in FIGS. 27 and 29, the second support 102 includes a secondopening portion 102H as an opening portion connected with a spacesurrounded by the side portion of the positive electrode 11. The firstopening portion 101H and the second opening portion 102H connect aninner portion of the positive electrode 11 of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 and an outside, and serve as a passage ofbubbles of oxygen generated on the positive electrode 11 side. At leastone of the first support 101 and the second support 102 may have theopening portion connected with the space surrounded by the side portionof the positive electrode 11.

As described above, by causing the second-support-side height h2 to belarger than the first-support-side height h1, the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 is inclined with respect to a ground planeof the installing object FL such that, toward the second support 102from the first support 101, the distance from the installing object FLbecomes large. The positive electrode 11 of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 has a tubular shape, and the shape of across section perpendicular to the central axis Zt is constant in adirection parallel to the central axis Zt. Therefore, the positiveelectrode 11, especially, the inside of the positive electrode 11 of theside separated from the first installation portion 101C and the secondinstallation portion 102C (an upper inside of the positive electrode) isinclined such that, toward the second support 102 from the first support101, the distance from the installing object FL becomes large.

By causing the positive electrode 11 and the upper inside of thepositive electrode of the positive electrode 11 in hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 to be inclined as described above, thebubbles of oxygen generated on the positive electrode 11 side aregathered to an upper side of the positive electrode 11. Then, thebubbles of oxygen are moved toward the second opening portion 102H ofthe second support 102 along the upper inside of the positive electrodedue to influence of buoyancy, and are released to the outside of thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100, to be specific, to theoutside of the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10. Asdescribed above, in the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100,the positive electrode 11 is inclined so as to be away from the groundplane of the installing object FL toward the second opening portion102H, and thus can efficiently and promptly release the bubbles ofoxygen in the positive electrode 11 through the second opening portion102H to the outside, using the buoyancy of the bubbles of oxygen.Therefore, the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 canrelease the bubbles of oxygen in the positive electrode 11 to theoutside even if there is no passing water to the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10.

An angle (angle of inclination) formed by the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 and the ground plane of the installing object FLis θ. In the present embodiment, the angle of inclination θ is an angleformed by a virtual ground plane FLv parallel to the ground plane of theinstalling object FL, and the central axis Zt of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10, for convenience. The angle of inclinationθ is preferably 0.5 degrees or more from a perspective of efficientrelease of the bubbles of oxygen to the outside of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10, more preferably 1degree or more, and still more preferably 1.5 degrees or more. If theangle of inclination θ falls within these ranges, thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 can efficiently andpromptly release the bubbles in the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10.

If the angle of inclination θ is made large, the bubbles of oxygengenerated in the positive electrode 11 are released into the raw waterbefore being united and becoming a sufficient size. As a result, if theangle of inclination θ is large, the amount of oxygen dissolved in theraw water tends to be increased. The angle is preferably 5 degrees orless from a perspective of suppression of the amount of oxygen dissolvedin the raw water, more preferably 4 degrees or less, still morepreferably 3 degrees or less. If the angle of inclination θ falls withinthese ranges, the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 cansuppress the amount of oxygen dissolved in the raw water. Further, ifthe angle of inclination θ falls within these ranges, an excessiveincrease in the height of the hydrogen-containing water generatingdevice 100, to be specific, the height H2 of the second support 102illustrated in FIG. 27 can be suppressed, and the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 can be made compact. The angle ofinclination θ is preferably from 0.5 to 5 degrees, both inclusive, morepreferably from 1 to 4 degrees, both inclusive, and still morepreferably from 1.5 to 3 degrees, both inclusive. In the presentembodiment, the angle of inclination θ is 2 degrees.

The hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 includes the firstopening portion 101H in the first support 101, and the second openingportion 102H in the second support 102. Therefore, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can be washed from atleast one of the first opening portion 101H and the second openingportion 102H. For example, dirt and the like of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10, especially, of the positive electrode 11can be removed by jetting rinse water to the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 with a hose or the like through the firstopening portion 101H, or by inserting a brush or the like through thefirst opening portion 101H. As described above, the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 includes the first opening portion 101H andthe second opening portion 102H, and thus enables work in washing thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 to become easy. Otherthan the washing with water, minerals deposited on the surfaces of thepositive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 are removed byimmersing the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 in acleaning solution (for example, an aqueous solution of citric acid) fora predetermined time. In this way, it is not necessary to supply thewater or the cleaning solution used for washing separately from the rawwater W, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can be ofa simple structure. Note that the hydrogen-containing water generatingdevice 100 can obtain the above-described functions and effects as longas including at least one of the first opening portion 101H and thesecond opening portion 102H. Next, a relationship between the opening103H of the protection member 103 and the opening 12H of the negativeelectrode 12 will be described.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 30, the shape of theopening 103H of the protection member 103 is a circle with a diameter ofD. The opening 103H of the protection member 103 is larger than theopening 12H of the negative electrode 12. To be specific, the area ofthe opening 103H is n×D²/4, and the area of the opening 12H is Ll×Ls/2,and thus n×D²/4>Ll×Ls/2 is satisfied. In doing so, the bubbles ofhydrogen generated on the negative electrode 12 side can efficientlypass through the opening 103H of the protection member 103, and can beefficiently dissolved in the raw water W. The opening 103H of theprotection member 103 is formed into a circular shape, so that theopening 103H can be easily manufactured.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating another use state of thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment. The hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 may beinstalled so that the second opening portion 102H side of the secondsupport 102 faces the installing object FL. Alternatively, thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 may be installed so thatthe first opening portion 101H side of the first support 101 faces theinstalling object FL. In doing so, the central axis Zt of thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 becomes perpendicularto the ground plane of the installing object FL. The bubbles of oxygengenerated on the positive electrode 11 side of the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 are released into the raw water W throughthe first opening portion 101H of the first support 101 arranged at anopposite side to the installing object FL. When the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 is installed so that the first openingportion 101H side of the first support 101 faces the installing objectFL, the bubbles of oxygen generated on the positive electrode 11 side ofthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 are released intothe raw water W through the second opening portion 102H of the secondsupport 102.

The bubbles of hydrogen generated on the negative electrode 12 side ofthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 are released fromthe entire circumference of the negative electrode 12 into the raw waterW, and pass through the opening 103H of the protection member 103. Inthis way, both of the first support 101 and the second support 102 ofthe hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 may be installed onthe installing object FL, or only the second support 102 may beinstalled on the installing object FL. Therefore, thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 can be used in adifferent form according to a use environment.

It is favorable to install one having a larger area between the firstsupport 101 and the second support 102 of the hydrogen-containing watergenerating device 100 to face the installing object FL. In doing so, thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 can be stably installed.

(Mounting Structure of Hydrogen-Containing Water Generating Electrode)

FIGS. 32 and 33 are diagrams illustrating mounting structures of whenthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode is mounted to thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating another mounting structureof when the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode is mounted tothe hydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment. FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate a case in which thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 is used being put in abath. As illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33, in the present embodiment, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is supported by thefirst support 101 and the second support 102 with the positive-electrodepower feed member 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15. Byuse of the positive-electrode power feed member 14, thenegative-electrode power feed member 15, the positive-electrode supportmember 18, and the negative-electrode support member 19, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 can be mounted to thefirst support 101 and the second support 102 with a relatively simplestructure.

As illustrated in FIG. 32, the positive-electrode power feed member 14protruding from the first end portion 11T1 side of the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 protrudingfrom the first end portion 12T1 side of the negative electrode 12 aremounted to the first support 101. The first support 101 corresponds tothe mounting object ST1 illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG.33, the positive-electrode support member 18 protruding from the secondend portion 11T2 side of the positive electrode 11 and thenegative-electrode support member 19 protruding from the second endportion 12T2 side of the negative electrode 12 are mounted to the secondsupport 102. The second support 102 corresponds to the mounting objectST2 illustrated in FIG. 4.

The first support 101 includes a mounting seat 101B, a tubularside-portion-side cover 101CS, and a plate-like cover 101CB. Themounting seat 101B supports the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 and the protection member 103. The mounting seat 101Bincludes a tubular member (hereinafter, referred to as tubular member)101IW at an opposite side to the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10. The tubular member 101IW extends toward a direction beingaway from the mounting seat 101B. An inside of the tubular member 101IWserves as a passage that connects the inside of the positive electrode11 and the outside of the first support member 101. The cover 101CB ismounted to an end portion of the side-portion-side cover 101CS and anend portion of the tubular member 101IW. The cover 101CB includes anopening 101CBH connected with the inside of the tubular member 101IW.The tubular member 101IW, to be specific, the inside of the tubularmember 101IW and the opening 101CBH of the cover 101CB serve as thefirst opening portion 101H.

The mounting seat 101B is a member to which the positive-electrode powerfeed member 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 aremounted, and supports the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode10 through the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15. The positive-electrode powerfeed member 14 and the negative-electrode power feed member 15 aremounted to and supported by the mounting seat 101B with bolts 32respectively screwed into the male screws 14S and 15S, as illustrated inFIG. 32. The first end portions 11T1 and 12T1 of the positive electrode11 and the negative electrode 12 are in contact with a mounting surface101P that is one surface of the mounting seat 101B. The mounting seat101B is held by the first end portions 11T1 and 12T1 of the positiveelectrode 11 and the negative electrode 12, and the bolts 32 and 32.With such a structure, the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10 is mounted to and supported by the mounting seat 101Bthrough the positive-electrode power feed member 14 and thenegative-electrode power feed member 15.

The first opening portion 101H included in the first support 101 facesthe opening portions of the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12, the opening portions being at the side of the first endportions 11T1 and 12T1. Therefore, the bubbles of oxygen in the positiveelectrode 11 pass through the first opening portion 101H, and arereleased to the outside of the hydrogen-containing water generatingdevice 100.

The terminal 34 that connects the positive-electrode power feed member14 and wiring 25, and the terminal 34 that connects thenegative-electrode power feed member 15 and wiring 25 are arranged in aspace (first-support-member inner space) 101SP surrounded by themounting seat 101B, the cover 101CB, the side-portion-side cover 101CS,and the tubular member 101IW. The wiring 25 is pulled out to the outsidefrom the first-support-member inner space 101SP through a grommet 26provided in a hole 102SPH provided in the side-portion-side cover 101CS.The wiring 25 is electrically connected with the terminals 34 and 34.The grommet 26 lying between the wiring 25 and the side-portion-sidecover 101CS of the first support 101 is a member that protects thewiring 25, and waterproofs the first-support-member inner space 101SP,and is made of, for example, rubber. A waterproof agent is filled in thefirst-support-member inner space 101SP. The positive-electrode powerfeed member 14, the negative-electrode power feed member 15, theterminal 34, and the wiring 25 are waterproofed with the waterproofagent.

As illustrated in FIG. 33, the positive-electrode support member 18 andthe negative-electrode support member 19 are mounted to and supported bythe second support member 102 with the bolts 31 respectively screwedinto the male screws 18S and 19S. The second end portions 11T2 and 12T2of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are incontact with a mounting surface 102P that is one surface of the secondsupport member 102. The second support member 102 is held by the secondend portions 11T2 and 12T2 of the positive electrode 11 and the negativeelectrode 12, and the bolts 31 and 31. The bolts 31 are embedded in aspot facing hole 102BH provided in a surface at an opposite side to themounting surface 102P of the second support member 102. With such astructure, the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 ismounted to and supported by the second support member 102 through thepositive-electrode support member 18 and the negative-electrode supportmember 19. Note that the second support member 102 also supports theprotection member 103, in addition to the first support member 101.

As described above, both end portions of the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 and the protection member 103 in thelongitudinal direction are respectively supported by the first supportmember 101 and the second support member 102. The hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 reliably supports the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10 and the protection member 103 from bothsides in the longitudinal direction, and can be of a firm structure.

A first support 101 a included in a hydrogen-containing water generatingdevice 100 a illustrated in FIG. 34 includes a mounting seat 101Ba, atubular side-portion-side cover 101CSa, and a plate-like cover 101CBa.The mounting seat 101Ba does not include the tubular member 101IW, whichis included in the mounting seat 101B illustrated in FIG. 32. Therefore,the first support 101 a does not include the first opening portion 101H,which is included in the first support 101 illustrated in FIG. 32. Thepositive-electrode power feed member 14, the negative-electrode powerfeed member 15, the terminals 34, and the wiring 25 are arranged in afirst-support-member inner space 101SPa surrounded by the mounting seat101Ba, the side-portion-side cover 101CSa, and the cover 101CBa. Awaterproof agent is filled in the first-support-member inner space101SPa. Other structures of the first support 101 a, and a relationshipwith the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 are similarto those of the first support 101 illustrated in FIG. 32. The secondsupport 102 illustrated in FIG. 33 is applied to the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 a as it is.

The wiring 25 is connected with the power source 20 through a connector27. The power source 20 is, for example, a secondary battery, and is alead storage battery in the present embodiment. The power source 20includes a control panel 21. The control panel 21 includes a controldevice (for example, a microcomputer) 21C, a power source switch 22, anda display device 23. The display device 23 is, for example, a single ora plurality of light-emitting diodes or a liquid crystal display panel.The power source 20 can be connected with an alternative current (AC)adaptor 24 for charging. When the power source switch 22 is turned ON,power is applied from the power source 20 to the hydrogen-containingwater generating electrode 10, and the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10 performs electrolysis of the raw water W togenerate the hydrogen-containing water. In the present embodiment, thecontrol device 21C automatically stops the supply of the power when apredetermined time (for example, about 10 to 20 minutes) has passed fromwhen the power source switch 22 is turned ON. In this way, whenespecially the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 is put ina bath, and warm water containing hydrogen is generated, continuoussupply of the power after the bathing is completed can be avoided.Therefore, the power consumption of the power source 20 can besuppressed.

The AC adaptor 24 converts an alternative current into a direct currentto charge the power source 20. In the present embodiment, thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 generates thehydrogen-containing water with the direct-current power supplied fromthe power source 20. However, for example, the hydrogen-containing watergenerating device 100 can generate the hydrogen-containing water withthe direct-current power supplied from the AC adaptor 24. In this case,for example, the control device 21C switches the supply of the power tothe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 between the supplyfrom the power source 20 and the supply from the AC adaptor 24.

The display device 23 displays timing to charge the power source 20,timing to wash or conduct maintenance of the hydrogen-containing watergenerating electrode 10, and the like. When it becomes the timing tocharge the power source 20, a control device 20C blinks a chargingnotification lamp included in the display device 23, and when it becomesthe timing for washing, the control device 20C blinks a washingnotification lamp included in the display device 23. In doing so, a userof the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 can recognize thetiming of charging and washing.

When the connector 27 connected with the wiring 25 is pulled out of thepower source 20 or when the hydrogen-containing water generating device100 is pulled up from the raw water W, the control device 21C stops anoutput of the power from the power source 20, that is, causes the powersource switch 22 to be in an OFF state. For example, when the currentflowing in the hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 becomesa predetermined value or less, or 0, the control device 21C stops theoutput of the power from the power source 20. This is because, when thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is pulled up from thewater, no raw water W exists between the positive electrode 11 and thenegative electrode 12, and as a result, the current flowing in thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 becomes thepredetermined value or less, or 0. Further, this is because, when theconnector 27 is pulled out of the power source 20, no current flows inthe hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 through the wiring25. The control device 21C can improve safety by controlling the outputof the power of the power source 20.

In the present embodiment, the AC adaptor 24 is connected with the powersource 20 to charge the power source 20. However, the charging of thepower source 20 is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, thepower source 20 may be charged by a non-contact charging system usingelectromagnetic induction. In doing so, waterproofing of the powersource 20 and a charging device can be easily secured. Next, amodification of the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 willbe described.

(Modification)

FIGS. 35 to 37 are diagrams illustrating a modification of ahydrogen-containing water generating device according to the presentembodiment. At the time of use of this hydrogen-containing watergenerating device 100 b, foldable and storable legs 104 are taken out ofa second support 102 b, and are installed on an installing object FL.The leg 104 is, for example, a rod-like member rotating around arotating shaft Zr provided at the installing object FL side of thesecond support 102 b, as illustrated in FIG. 36. The leg 104 is providedto each of both sides of the second support 102 b in a width direction.When the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 b is not used,the legs 104 are stored in storages 106 provided at the installingobject FL side of the second support 102 b. When the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 b is used, the legs 104 are taken out of thestorages 106, and rotated around the rotating shaft Zr. Then, endportions 104S at an opposite side to the rotating shaft Zr come incontact with the installing object FL.

In doing so, the hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 b isinstalled on the installing object FL with a first installation portion101C of a first support 101, and the end portions 104S of the legs 104,as illustrated in FIG. 37. A second support 102 b is more separated fromthe installing object FL with the legs 104, than the first support 101.Therefore, a hydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 of thehydrogen-containing water generating device 100 b is inclined withrespect to a ground plane of the installing object FL such that, towardthe second support 102 b from the first support 101, thehydrogen-containing water generating electrode 10 is separated from theground plane of the installing object FL. At this time, an angle formedby a central axis Zt of the hydrogen-containing water generatingelectrode 10, and the installing object FL (a virtual ground plane FLvin this example) is the above-described angle of inclination θ.

The hydrogen-containing water generating device 100 b includes thestorable legs 104 in the second support 102. Therefore, the secondsupport 102 b and the first support 101 can be of the same shape, andthus common components can be employed. Further, since the legs 104 arejust taken out at the time of use, the second support 102 can be of anequal dimension to the first support 101. Therefore, the second support102 b can be made compact, and as a result, the hydrogen-containingwater generating device 100 b can be made compact.

As described above, the present embodiment has been described. However,the present embodiment is not limited by the above-described content.Further, the above-described configuration elements include those whichcan be conceived by a person skilled in the art, which are substantiallythe same, and so-called equivalents. Further, the above-describedconfiguration elements can be appropriately combined. Further, variousomissions, replacements, and changes of the configuration elements canbe made without departing from the gist of the present embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d Hydrogen-containing water        generating electrode    -   10R Curved surface portion    -   10T1 First end portion    -   10T2 Second end portion    -   10HA and 10HB End portion-side opening portion    -   11, 11 c, and 11 d Positive electrode    -   11H Opening    -   11S Side portion    -   11SL Slit    -   11Si Inside portion    -   11So Outside portion    -   11T1 and 12T1 First end portion    -   11T2 and 12T2 Second end portion    -   12, 12 c, and 12 d Negative electrode    -   12H Opening    -   12S Side portion    -   12SL Slit    -   12Si Inside portion    -   12So Outside portion    -   13, 13 c, and 13 d Insulator    -   13H Opening    -   14 Positive-electrode power feed member    -   15 Negative-electrode power feed member    -   20 Power source    -   21C Control device    -   22 Power source switch    -   23 Display device    -   24 AC adaptor    -   25 Wiring    -   27 Connector    -   34 Terminal    -   100, 100 a, and 100 b Hydrogen-containing water generating        device    -   101 First support    -   101H First opening portion    -   101C First installation portion    -   102 Second support    -   102H Second opening portion    -   102C Second installation portion    -   103 Protection member    -   104 Leg    -   FL Installing object    -   W Raw water

1. A hydrogen-containing water generating device comprising: a positiveelectrode that is a tubular conductor and includes a plurality ofopenings in a side portion; an insulator that is provided on an outerperipheral portion of the positive electrode; a negative electrode thatis provided on an outer peripheral portion of the insulator, is atubular conductor in contact with the insulator, and includes aplurality of openings in a side portion; a first support that is mountedto a first end portion side of the positive electrode and a first endportion side of the negative electrode; and a second support that ismounted to a second end portion side of the positive electrode and asecond end portion side of the negative electrode, wherein at least oneof the first support and the second support includes an opening portionconnected with a space surrounded by the side portion of the positiveelectrode.
 2. The hydrogen-containing water generating device accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a positive-electrode power feed memberthat is a rod-like conductor mounted to an inner surface of the sideportion of the positive electrode and protrudes from the first endportion side of the positive electrode or the second end portion side ofthe positive electrode; and a negative-electrode power feed member thatis a rod-like conductor mounted to an inner surface of the side portionof the negative electrode and protrudes from the first end portion sideof the negative electrode or the second end portion side of the negativeelectrode, wherein the first support or the second support supports thepositive-electrode power feed member and the negative-electrode powerfeed member.
 3. The hydrogen-containing water generating deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a protection member being a tubular memberand including a plurality of openings in a side portion is providedoutside the negative electrode, a first end portion of the protectionmember is supported by the first support, and a second end portion ofthe protection member is supported by the second support.
 4. Thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to claim 3,wherein the plurality of openings included in the protection member islarger than the plurality of openings of the negative electrode.
 5. Thehydrogen-containing water generating device according to claim 1,wherein the insulator includes a plurality of openings.